Chinese scientists test world’s first practical underwater solar power plant

cientists from China’s Yunnan University have successfully tested what researchers describe as the world’s first practical underwater solar power plant in the South China Sea.

The team developed lead-halide perovskite solar cells designed to capture the blue-green light that remains underwater after water filters out much of the red and infrared light used by conventional silicon panels. At a depth of 10 meters, only a small portion of sunlight remains.

In laboratory tests, a small cell converted 34.71% of the weak light into electricity. Researchers then protected the cells with rubber, glass and resin to withstand seawater and pressure.

Near Weizhou Island, a robot deployed the system at depths of two, six and 10 meters. The panels generated enough electricity to charge batteries and power an LED, producing 1,416 milliwatt-hours at two meters, 752 at six meters and 324 at 10 meters.

The researchers say the technology could eventually provide autonomous power for underwater sensors, cameras and robots.